Culinary Tourism dubbed as Kulinarya Filipina is a Special program of the Philippines Department of Tourism as part of the Cultural Tourism Program. Introducing the Philippine flavors to domestic and international scene and aims to promote the country as a culinary destination.

Here are the Philippine Culinary Festivities for January 2012.

UBI FESTIVAL || Tagbilaran City Bohol || 2nd week of January

The festival will institutionalize the ubi crop as the agro-historical-geographical-religious symbol of Bohol and to give the ubi the recognition it rightfully deserve in the market. It features an exhibit, ubi contest, an agri-business investment opportunity seminar and a cultural show.

LONGANIZA FESTIVAL || Vigan City, Ilocos Sur || January 22

Featuring the best longaniza in the Philippines.

HAW-AN FESTIVAL || Bunawan, Agusan del Sur || January 26

Named after a local mud fish and inspired by its abundance, the Haw-an Festival is celebrated every January 26 in observance of the Araw ng Bunawan. I t is highlighted by haw-an catching and cooking contests and sadsad, a street dancing that showcases the Manobo's rich and vibrant culture.

BALOT SA PUTI FESTIVAL || Municipality of Pateros || January 31

One of the highlights of the Pateros Town Fiesta celebration. It is a food festival featuring a cooking competition of Pateros' famous "Balut", one of the country's original exotic food.

I heard from the news that the Department of Tourism's new logo will be launched today. I had a quick visit to the website but the new logo was not yet available, maybe later today. Browsing the website, I clicked on the Philippine Calendar of Festivities for January and thought of sharing this to y'all.

January is the best month to explore the Visayas region where majority of the festivities are being celebrated. Apart from its beautiful tropical islands, festivals like Ati-atihan, Sinulog and Dinagyang are the most popular among local and foreign tourists. The BORACAY INT’L FUN BOARD CUP, the country’s biggest windsurfing event is the most awaited event with participants from all over Asia

Philippines, being dominated by Catholicism, celebrates the Feast of Sto Nino throughout the country. Sinulog in Cebu City is the biggest biggest and most popular festival honoring the Holy Image of Senyor Santo Niño de Cebu. Meanwhile in Manila, millions are expected to join Nazarene feast.

Here's the complete list of Philippine Calendar of Festivities in January 2012 taken from DOT's Website.

STO. NIÑO FESTIVAL | Nationwide | Every first week of January

A grand procession of over two hundred well-dressed images of the Child Jesus.

ATI-ATIHAN FESTIVAL | Kalibo, Aklan | January 3- January 16Scene of a yearly celebration in honor of Sto. Nino held every third week of January, popularly known worldwide as Ati-Atihan. So called because Aklanons, domestic and foreign tourists, wipe soot on their faces and done ethnic paraphernalia and masquerade around town as Negritos and make merry and dance in the streets to the beat of ambulant ethnic troubadours.

BAILES DE LUCES | La Castellana, Negros Occicental | January 5The town’s celebration of Charter Day and a befitting culmination of the Christmas season, the festival is conceptualized as a festival of hope and thanksgiving. Thanksgiving for all the blessings received in the year that was and hope for a prosperous new year. Its unique feature is the use of lights or “luces” as props and adornment and its nocturnal festivities and streetdancing.

LINGAYEN GULF LANDING ANNIVERSAY | Lingayen, Pangasinan | January 9Commemoration of the liberation of Lingayen from the Japanese forces by Gen. Douglas Mc Arthur of the US Pacific Command.

FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE | Quiapo, Manila | January 9An intense, day-long festival highlighted by a mammoth procession through the streets.

ARAW NG KORONADAL | Koronadal | January 10Translated literally, it means "Day of Koronadal" and indeed it is. Hinugyaw Festival, dubbed as the "Festival of Festivals", is a celebration of the different cultures that has dwelled on the fertile valley of Koronadal for many years now.

BINANOG FESTIVAL | Lambunao, Iloilo | January 10- January 16Binanog is a yearly festivities celebrated by the Lambunaonos every January in honor of infant Jesus. Binanog means a pool of dance by the people in hinterland of Lambunao. The following are the Binanugan, the dance depicting the movement of the birds, the Inagong sayaw-sayaw, a celebration dances and the Dinagmay, the courtship dance. The dance movement is accompanied by lively drum beatings.

SINULOG (KABANKALAN) FESTIVAL | Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental | January 10- January 16Revelers garbed in distinctively colorful costumes with bare bodies painted in black soot take to the streets to the riotous and frenzied beats of drums celebrating the feast of El Señor Sto. Niño.

MAKATO STO. NIÑO FESTIVAL | Poblacion Makato, Aklan | January 16The ati-atihan festival of Makato dates back before the Spaniards came to sow the seeds of Christianity into this land. During the celebration, thousands of Catholic devotees from all over the country and those from abroad felt the urge to come and join in the wholesome, frolic and religious fervor of thanksgiving to the Holy Child, Sto. Niño.

PASUNGAY FESTIVAL | San Joaquin, Iloilo | January 15Celebrated every 3rd Saturday of January. This spectacular & exciting event find its origin on a hillside in one of the inland barangays of the municipality when resting farmers witness for the first time the fight between the two raging bulls, set loose by their herdsmen. It caught the fancy of the barangay folks and soon it became a popular entertainment in most barangay fiestas. During the municipal fiesta, the best bulls from different barangays are pitted against each other by weight category in a “Bull Derby”.

KAHIMUNAN FESTIVAL | Libertad, Butuan City | January 16Butuan''s version of the Sinulog of Cebu which has an equally lively and spectacular street dancing.

PANGISDAAN FESTIVAL | Brgy. Tangos, Navotas | January 16One of the highlights of the Navotas Day celebration featuring a street dancing and float competition focusing on the fishing industry.

KINARADTO FESTIVAL | Buenavista, Guimaras | January 16This cultural festival makes maximum use of the rich cultural tradition of the oldest municipality of the province. The presentation of songs, dances and musical tableau depicts the various influences Buenavista has been subjected to. Celebrated in honor of the town’s patron saint, Sr. Sto. Niño, Kinaradto promises the participant loads of unforgettable positive experiences.

BATAN ATI-ATI MALAKARA FESTIVAL | Poblacion Batan, Aklan | January 16The participants celebrating this festival wear masks made up of paper mache and prepared costumes. The festival is celebrated in honor of the Sto. Niño with merry making for a bountiful harvest, peace and prosperity, street dancing along the streets and plaza of the poblacion. A holy mass is celebrated before the start of the contest on Sunday morning proceeded with a parade of participating tribes.

FIRE WORKS DISPLAY & CONTEST | Arevalo, Iloilo City | January 16Highlights of this District Fiesta of Arevalo are the multicolor fireworks. The skyline becomes a celebration with the dazzling display of sparkles and blazing lights.

BANSUDANI FESTIVAL/FEAST OF THE DEVINE SAVIOR | Bansud, Mindoro Oriental | January 17-19A thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest which coincides with town fiesta. It features dances and cultural presentations by schools and barangay communities.

SADSAD SA KALYE | Janiuay, Iloilo | January 19“Sadsad Sa Kalye” is a dynamic mass presentation expressing the beliefs, views, visions and aspirations of the Janiuaynons based upon tradition, historical experiences, and culture of the people of Janiuay. It is a street-dancing affair buoyed by the kaleidoscopic prism of cultured grace and fineness that reflects the embodiment of all that are beautiful in man’s body and soul. “Sadsad” is a native word meaning dance.

SINULOG FESTIVAL | Cebu City | January 16Celebrated every 3rd Sunday of January, is Cebu''s biggest and most popular festival. The feast is in honor of the Holy Image of Senyor Santo Niño de Cebu. Fiesta Senyor, as it is widely known, is the most celebrated among Cebu''s festival where people converge along the routes of a grand solemn procession and partake in the gaiety amidst a mardi gras parade immersed in wild colors and the constant beating of drums.

PANDOT SA BACOLOD | Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | January 20A true to life dramatization depicting the life of Bacoleños during the Spanish times and the life of being a Catholic

ALTAVAS STO. NIÑO FESTIVAL | Poblacion Altavas, Aklan | January 21- January 22This day marked the end of the Fil-American war in Altavas. Since then, January 22 is being celebrated as an Annual Thanksgiving and Armistice Day in Altavas. Later, the date was adopted as its municipal town fiesta. This is the continuation of the joyous celebration of peace when Fil-American war ended in this municipality.

DINAGYANG FESTIVAL | Iloilo City | January 22- January 23A spectacular street merrymaking in honor of the Holy Child Jesus.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF PEACE AND GOOD VOYAGE | La Carlota City | January 24A spectacular street merrymaking in honor of the Holy Child Jesus.

IBAJAY ATI-ATI MUNICIPAL AND DEVOTIONAL FIESTA | Ibajay, Aklan | January 24- January 25A religious feast in honor of its patron saint Sto. Niño, held by transferring the holy image of the patron from Ibajay Cathedral Rectory and enthronement at St. Peter Parish Church, by way of amusing the image from where it was originally discovered and brought to the church

DINAGSA ATI-ATIHAN FESTIVAL | Cadiz City, Negros Occidental | January 24- January 30A revelry from sunrise to sunset, with ceaseless and rhythmic beating of drums. A sea of humanity in cadence with black soot “ati” performing rituals, all in honor of El Señor Sto. Niño. A spectacular fluvial parade where the Infant Jesus is carried aboard a fishing boat around the river, out to sea and back. “Dinagsa” connotes the sudden surge of good things washed ashore, such as the generous catch of fish and other sea foods, which Cadiz is famous for. Throw all cares to the wind as you street dance with gaily-costumed ati-tribes. Be game however if you find your own face painted black by playful ATIS.

SANA-AW FESTIVAL | Jordan, Guimaras | January 28Primarily a celebration of the economic endeavor that made Jordan what it is today. Sana-aw also pays tribute to the skillful artisans and the enduring workers in an endearing characterization through dance drama.

HINIRUGYAW FESTIVAL | Calinog, Iloilo | January 30- February 6An annual festivity of Calinog’s devotion to Sr. Sto. Niño. It is a nine day event and its activities consist of an opening salvo, food fest, live Sto. Niño contest among young boys not older than seven years old, Search for Lin-ay Kang Hinirugyaw and the contest proper for all participating tribes in three judging areas.

PABIRIK FESTIVAL | Paracale, Camarines Norte | January 23 - February 2Held in the town of Paracale, highlighted by “pabirik” street dancing depicting the gold mining industry in the province. It coincides with the 400th year Foundation Anniversary of Our Lady of Candelaria, the town’s Patron Saint.

SAN PABLO COCO FESTIVAL | San Pablo City, Laguna | January 3-16A weeklong celebration highlighted by a Mardi Gras with participants’ costumes made of coconut-derived materials.

FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS | Poblacion, Gasan, Marinduque | January 3A feast honoring the Three Kings who are visiting the houses around the Poblacion of Gasan.

FLUVIAL PROCESSION - Batangas City | Batangas City | January 7Fluvial parade at the sea to Calumpang River and merrymaking at the capital town.

SIKHAYAN FESTIVAL | Sta. Rosa City, Laguna | January 18Held every 18th of January, the Bayanihan Foundation Parade is a street fest displaying the bayanihan or Filipino command spirit of cooperation which makes seemingly in possible feasts realization. The event highlights the four evolution of the town from aquatic, agriculture, professional and to a industrial progressive city.

SALIBANDA | Paete, Laguna | January 17,18,24 & 25A religious festival honoring the Sto. Niño or Jesus, the Holy Child. This is characterized by street dancing, Mardi Gras with participants pouring water among each other, recreating perhaps, the baptismal rites of the old.

DUGOY FESTIVAL | Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro | January 18The event showcases the rich cultural heritage of the indigenous people, specifically that of the Mangyan people, through activities such as street dancing, exhibits and cultural shows. The main concept is to promote and celebrate the “Dugoy Spirit” of camaraderie among the people of different culture and the harmonious relationships of the Sablayeños.

FEAST OF SAN SEBASTIAN THE MARTYR (PALIGONG POON) | Lumban, Laguna | January 19 & 26A procession held at the Lumban River, where the icon of the patron saint San Sebastian together with hundreds of devotees is afloat on “Kaskitos”, or bunch of big boats.

FEAST OF STO. NIÑO | Buenavista, Marinduque | January 19A celebration in honor of its patron saint, Señor Sto. Niño characterized by street dancing and other religious and cultural events.

FEAST OF SAN ILDEFONSO TOLEDO | Tanay, Rizal | January 23-24The town fiesta in honor of San Ildefonso de Toledo is held every January 23rd . Musical band sponsored by the nine barangays roam around the town. The musical exhibition and competition is held in the afternoon of January 24. Painting exhibition, carnival and amateur singing competitions are likewise held.

CANDLE FESTIVAL | Candelaria, Quezon | January 31 to February 2A three-day celebration from January 31 to February 2, to reflect the devotion of the people of Candelaria in “Nuestra Senora de Candelaria” likewise known as the Candlemas Virgin. It shows insights on the magnificence of the culture and tradition in the locality. The candle float parade and street dancing competition are among the major activities of the festival.